Brighton Premier League darts: Lewis Dunk hits the bullseye as he poses with fans ahead of Luke Littler shock
Lewis Dunk swapped top flight football for a night of Premier League darts this week – but still found himself the centre of attention among Brighton and Hove Albion supporters.
The Albion captain – who is suspended for Saturday’s trip to Burnley – was spotted enjoying an evening off at the Brighton Centre on Thursday (April 9), where he happily posed for photos with fans.
One of those was supporter Ben Miller, who shared a selfie from outside the venue – along with a story that underlined Dunk’s enduring connection with the club’s fanbase.
“It was the first time I’d bumped into him since the Withdean days, when I was 12-years-old,” said Ben, who went to the darts dressed as a seagull.
“He’s still just as down to earth.”
Dunk, 34, watched Luke Littler and co, alongside a few friends, including Brighton kit manager Alex ‘Buzz’ Burrows.
"He told me how much he was looking forward to the darts,” Ben said, as he travelled on the train to Turf Moor, via Manchester.
"He’s such a nice bloke, who has time for everyone.”
Dunk, who first joined the Albion academy as a teenager in 2003, has gone to make more than 500 appearances for the Sussex club. He led them through their rise into the Premier League and has helped them become a mainstay in the top flight.
The defender – who has six senior international appearances for England – also skippered the Albion team during their historic season in the Europa League in 2023/24.
Off the pitch, he is known to enjoy the more relaxed surroundings of a darts night.
In March 2025, photos emerged on social media showing the Brighton skipper – who was out injured with a rib injury at the time – holding up a sign about his head coach Fabian Hurzeler.
It read: “Hurzeler out, out, in, in, out, in.”
This was seen as a subtle dig at some Brighton fans who were calling for Hurzeler’s dismissal following their 7-0 Premier League defeat at Nottingham Forest the previous month.
Hurzeler saw the funny side of the jokey sign.
He said: “I was not there cheering for Luke Littler but I’m a big fan of this sport and I’ve (been) already to the Ally Pally and follow how they’re playing.
"I'm always happy if the players relax together and do things together, I think darts is a great social event for having fun together.
“I saw some pictures and videos today in the morning and I’m happy we have this social bond in this team, not only with players, but some staff members were there as well and enjoyed the evening.
"That’s what we need to create here, this social bond between each other, this togetherness.
"You can’t create it by artificial events, you do it by natural evenings by having one, two, three, four beers and having a good mood.
"Therefore, I’m happy that the players enjoyed it and the staff members who were there.”
Dunk seemingly took a more low-key approach at the darts this year, but his encounter with adoring fans reinforces why the centre-back remains such a popular figure – approachable, grounded, and unchanged despite years at the top level.
Even on a night away from football, Albion’s skipper showed he is never too far from the people who have followed his journey from the Withdean to the Premier League.
Why is Dunk not playing at Burnley?
Brighton will be without their captain as they take on relegation-destined Burnley.
Dunk’s caution in the 2-1 win against champions Liverpool was his tenth of the campaign.
Hitting double digits means the captain will serve an automatic two-match ban, which will see him miss Saturday's trip to Burnley, followed by next weekend's away day at Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham.
Premier League rules state: "Players who accumulate 10 yellow cards in Premier League matches up to and including their side's 32nd fixture will serve a two-match suspension in the competition.”
Dunk's absence will likely see another chance for French defender Olivier Boscagli, who has been used sparingly this term following his free transfer arrival from PSV.
Hurzeler said: "I always said through the whole season, the players will get their chance.
"They just have to make sure they're ready when the chance is there, and now the opportunity is there.
"Lewis will be suspended for two games and that means there are opportunities for others and that's what football is about.
"It's about working hard, it's about accepting the role in the right moment.
"You need to be there, you need to use your chance, and now others will get the chance, and now it's about using this chance."
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